Signaling device



Nov. 12, 1929. 1 L, MacCARTHY 1,735,403

SIGNALING DEVICE original Filed Feb. s, 1926 2 sheets-sneer 1 Nov. 12, 1929. J, L MacCARTHY 1,735,403

SIGNALING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 3, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Nov. 12, 1929 PATENT OFFICE JAMES L. MACCARTHY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK SIGNALING DEVICE Application iiled February 3,

This invention relates to signaling devices and more especially to signaling devices for use on automobiles.

An object of this invention is a signal visible under all conditions to indicate the action the driver is about to take together with a simplified easily operable control mechanism which also indicates to the driver that the signal has been properly operated.

One way of obtaining this object is by roviding translucent indicators at the rear, iront or both of an automobile, which indicators may be illuminated selectively by electric lamps controlled by a switch mounted near the steering wheel. In the switch and in series with the above mentioned lamps are provided electric lamps, the lighting of which indicates that the corresponding indicator is illuminated.

Other objects, novel features and advantages will be apparent -from the following description and accompanying drawings which disclose a specific embodiment of the invention and wherein Figure l is a perspective view showing the mounting of the switch near the steering wheel.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the switch taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Figure 4.

p Figure 4 is a plan view of the switch.

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a rear elevation of signal hous- Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a section on ure 7.

Figure 10 is a detail of the relector for the si al lamps and 45 igure 11 is a wiring diagram.

The switch is supported from the steering post 16 near the rim of the steering wheel 17 by a bracket 18. Signal boxes or casings 19 are attached to the Jfront and rear of an automobile in any desired manner. In the line 9-9 of Fig- 1926, Serial No. 85,685. Renewed March 26, 1929.

face of each box 19 are provided two glass covered direction indicatin apertures 20 and 21 with the indicators pointmg in opposite directions. Electric lamps 22 and 23 are provided to illuminate the indicators and are controlled by the switch 15 through electrical connections later to be described.

The switch 15 comprises a box 24 to the bottom of which is attached a binding post comprising a sleeve 25 having a lip at its upper end to receive a ball 26 to which is attached a lever 27. A block 28 is reciprocally mounted in the sleeve 25 and is uided by pins 29 fitting in grooves in the bloc, thereby preventin rotation ofthe block. It is apparent that t ie block 28 may be prevented from rotating in many other ways. The upper face oi the block 28 is recessed to receive the ball 26 and is provided with grooves 30 to receive a finger 31 formed on the ball 26. A spring 32 is interposed between the block 28 and the bottom of the box 24. and serves to maintain the block 28 in contact with the ball 26. The finger 31 and grooves 30 cooperate to guide the lever 26 into and out of engagement with contact members later to be described. The spring 32 is of suiiicient strength that it will maintain the lever 27 in any position that it is set. The lever therefore has no neutral position to which it must return when disengaged from the contact members and will not be moved by vibration from the position in which it is put.

An annular shelf 33 of insulating material is arranged in the box 24 just above the sleeve 25. Mounted on the shelf 33 are a pair of contact members 34 and 35. These contact members comprise segments which are provided at one end with clips 36 and 37 to receive the lever 27 and at their other ends with fingers 38 and 39 forming a clip to receive the lever 27. The members 34 and 35 are electrically insulated from each other except when the lever 27 is received in the clip formed by the fingers 38 and 39.

In the shelf 33 are mounted two connectors 4() and 41 having bayonet joint sockets in either end. In the upper sockets are provided electric lamps 42 and 43. In the lower sockets are provided plugs 44 and 45 having contacts Hyg; the terminals of the lamps' 42 .n A- l I I A cover 46 is provided for the box and isl v :formedv lwith an oiset y." lamps 42 and 43. Dire y over the lamps are provided lenses 48 and 49 through which h ht shines from the lamps 42v and 43, a partition 50beinga betweenthelam main body of e cover are provl ed slots 1n which .the lever 27 ma be passed when being moved into or out o enga ement wlth the clips on the contact mem rs 34 and 35. These slots in no wa lever 27 which is i ed in its movements byv the finger 31 on t e ball 26 traversing the grooves in the block 28. l

The signal boxes 19 are made of sheet metal and are trapezoidal in horizontal cross-section as shown in Fig. 8. The rear wall is just go long enough to accommodate the lamps mounted in it whereas the front wall is at least twice as long. The front wall is cut away to provide two opiositely directed indicator apertures 2O an 21, and a pane of 25 glass is provided to cover each aperture. At the tail of each indicator there is mounted in the box a substantially cylindrical member 51 projecting into the box and in the inner end of which is mounted a bulls eye lens 52. A ao hood 51", which may 'constitutea continuation of the member 51 projects from the face of the box 19.` In the rear box 19 is provided the usual tail lamp 53 which is separated from the other lamps by partitions the lower sa ortions of which diver and a bulls eye ens 54 is provided for t is lamp. Brackets 55 depend from the box 19 to support a license plate which is illuminated from the lamp 53 through a glass pane in the bottom of the box 19. The lamps 22 and 23 are supported in connectors 56 having bayonet slot sockets in each end. Plugs 57 and 58 are rovided to establish electrical connection wit the lamps 22 and 23. From the inner ends of the connectors 56 are supported reflectors 59 which comprise metal cups lined with crinkled tin foil or the like. An ordinary sheet of foil is crumpled in any manner to produce a large number of small -irregular surfaces. The crumpled foil is then pasted in the cup.

The lcrinkled reflectors diiuse the li ht from the lamps 22 and 23. The sloping si es of the box 19 reflect light through the apertures in the face of the box. The enses 52 are set in the members 51 and by virtue of the heading effect thereof the lamps 22 and 23 are clearly visible regardless of light conditions.

The diagram in Fig. 11 discloses the wiring for connecting front and rear signal 50 lamps and the switch starting from the positive pole of the battery B, a wire 60 runs to the sleeve 25. This wire may be electrically connected with either of the contact members 34 and 35 by moving the lever 27 into enga e- 05 ment with either of the clips 36 and 37 as ne rtion 47 over the be act as guides for the 63 sleeve 25, ball 26 and lever 27 are all electrical conductors and the spring 32 maintains the ball and sleeve in contact. The wire 60 may electrically connected with both contact members 34 and 35 by moving the lever 27 between the fingers 38 and 39. The contact member-,364 is connected to one terminal of the plug v44 byga wire 61. A wire 62 connects the other terminal of Plug 44 with one terminal of plug 57 inthe ront signal box, the other terminal of which is connected to one terminal of plug 57 in /th'e rear si The other terminal of t e plug 57 1s connected by a wire 64 to the negative pole of battery B. Similar 'connecting wires 65 66,

67 are provided for the other circuit. us

1f the lever 27 be thrown into the cli 36, the lamps 42 and 22 will be lighted. If t e lever 27 be thrown into contact with the cli 37, the lamps 43 and 23 will be lighted. I it is thrown into contact with the lingers 38 and 39 all the lamps will be lighted. The lam s 42 and 43 on the switch 15 operate as te ltales to indicate whether the other lamps are lighted for if any signal lamp does lot. rown into posit on.

light when the switch is t to close the circuit of that lamp, the tell-tale lamp will not light.

If the driver is about to turn left or right, he operates the lever 27 to illuminate the arrow pointing left or right. If he is about to stop he moves the lever between the ngers 38 and 39 thereby illuminating both arrows. The lenses 52 and also the lenses 42 and 43 may be of the same or different color as deslred.

While double contact lamps are shown, t e device is equally adaptablezfor single contact bulbs. By replacing the double contact plugs with'single contact plugs, sin le contact lamps may be used instead of dou le contact lamps. i Although, the invention has been disclosed 1n its applicability to indicators for use on automobiles it is apparent that it is of ual applicability to any other type of signa ing device. Itis, of course, understood that various modifications may be made in the structurewithout in any way departing from the spirit of the invention set forthin the appended claims.

at I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

A switch comprising a sleeve having a 11p, a lever' having-a ball contacting with said lip, a block in said sleeve engaging said ball,

contact members, and cooperating means on said ball and block to guide said lever into engagement with said contact members.

2. A switch comprising a sleeve having a lip, a lever having a ball contacting with said lip, a block in said sleeve engaging said ball, means to prevent rotation of said block in said sleeve, contact members, and coo ratin means on said ball and block to gulde sai v 30 engage said ball contact members,

lever into engagement with said contact mem- 3. A switch comprising a binding post, a lever, a ball and socket connection between said lever and binding ost, contact members, a block engaging the all of said ball and socket connection, and cooperatin means on said ball and` block to guide sai lever into engagement with said contact members.

4. A switch comprising asleeve] having a lip, a leverhaving a ball contacting with said lip, a block engaging said ball, contact members and coo rating means on said ball and block comprising a pin on one member and a groove in the other member to guide said lever into engagement with said contact memers.

5. A switch comprising a binding post, a lever, a ball and socket connection between 2o said lever and binding ppst, contact members a block engaging the all of said ball an socket connection, and coo rating means on said ball and block comprisin a pin on one member, and a groove in the ot er member to a5 guide s aid lever into engagement with said contact members.

6. A switch comprising a sleeve having a lip, a lever having a ball contacting with said lip, a block slidably mounted in said sleeve to cooperating means on said ball and block com rising a pin on one member and a groove in t e other member to guide said lever into engagement with said contact members, and resilient 85 means for maintaining saidblock in contact with said ball.

7. vA switch comprising a sleeve having a lip, a lever havin a ball contacting with said lip, a block slida ly mounted in said sleeve 4o to engage said ball, means to prevent rotation of sa1d lock, resihent means normally maintaining said block in contact with said ball, contactl members and cooperatin means on said ball and block to gulde sai lever into 4.5 engagement with said contact members.

8. A switch comprising a sleeve having a lip, a lever having a ball contacting with sa1d lip, a block slidably mounted in said sleeve to engage said ball, means to prevent rotation of said block, resilient means normally maintaining said block in contact with said ball,

contact members and cooperating means on A said ball and block comprising a pin on one member and a groove in the other member to guide said lever into engagement with said contact member.

9. A switch comprising a sleeve having a lip, a lever having a ball contacting with said w lip, a block slidably mounted in said sleeve to engage said ball, a pin on said block engaging a groove in .said sleeve, resilient means for maintaining said block in contact 'th said ball, contact members and a pin on d ball engaging agrooveinsaidblockto 'da said lever into engagement with said contact memers.

10. A switch comprising a binding post, a lever, a ball and socket connection between said lever and binding post, contact members a block engaging the all of said ball socket connection, cooperating means on said ball and block comprising a pin on one member and a groove in the ot er member to guide said lever into engagement with said contact members, and resi 'ent means for maintaining said block in contact with said ball.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specificatlon.

JAMES L. MAOCARTHY. 

